Steering mechanism for agricultural implements.



'Nm 887:524 PATBNTED-MAY 12,. 1910s-iff M. GOODPBLLOW. n STEERING MEGHANISM FCR AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

APPLIAIION ,FILED M-AR. 9. 1907.

l SHEETS-SHEET l.

M nuenloz Wi b1 zoom m No. 887,624. l PATENTED MAY 12, 190.

M.. GOODFBLLOW.'

STEERING MBGHANISMPOR AGRICULTURALIMBLEMENTSI APPLIouIoN Imm 1.4.3.9.1907, f v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 887,624. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

M. GOOD'FB'LLOW.

STEERING MBCHANISM FUR 'AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. APPLICATION FILED IAR. 9. 19o?.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

attorney MOORE GOODFELLGW, OF COL'Ulvii i-S, OMIC'. SSGNOR OF ONEJIALF TO JOSEPH U. DYE,

STEERING MECHANISvI FR AGRICULTURAL LIILEMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May l2, 1903..

serial nu. '361.527

Application vfiled March 9` 1907.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that l, Mooi-:n Goonrntro'w, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering iiechanism for Agricultural implements, of which the following is a s iecilication, reference boing had therein to tie accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to steering mechanism for agricultural implements, and more particularly to steering trucks for beet harvesters.

The object of the invention is to provide a steering mechanism of this character, whereby the direction of travel of the implement or machine, may be controlled either by altering the direction of travel of the draft animal or other source of power employed in drawing the machine, or may be altered by manually operated mechanism controlling the direction of travel of the machine With- ,out changing the direction oftravcl of the steering of the machine, rather than to act/as a drag and resist the steering of the machine,

as is the case Where oolters are rigidly secured in position.

With these objects in view, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction to be hereinafter described, and then more fully pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, vFigure l. is a to plan view of the forward portion of a beet iarvester embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrally through Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same Fig. 4 is a front elevation of *the colter steering mechanism. Figs. 5 land 6 are fractional 'detail views of the saine.

In these drawings I have illustrated my invention in its preferred form, and have shown the. same as embodied in a beet harvester," but obviously the invention could be readily adapted to other .machines or imnlements.

The main frame of the beet harvester is indicated by the reference numeral 1, Vwhile which is mounted within the main frame and is capable of a vertical movement relatively thereto. The-main. frame is provided with an extension or bracket comprising forwardly and upwardly extending arms 3, which are connected at their outer ends by a 'transverse member or bar 4, which is securedto the ends of the arms 3 in any suitable manner, such by means 'of the bolts 5. This bar fi is provided near its central portion with a curved slot 6 of considerable length relatively to the length of the bar. 'The bar is further pro vided valong its forward edge with an up- Wardly extending flange T, the bar and `flange being curved to conform to the curve of the slot 6.

The steering truck comprises the wheels S, mounted upon-suitable axles 9, which are carried by the connecting member or yoke 1l), which is provided near its central portion with an upwardly extending part 1,1, which, inthe present instance; is in the form of a king bolt. The king bolt .l1v extends upwardly through the bolster 1'2, which is supported thereon, and 'through the slot 6 in the transverse bar Li. The bolster 11?, which is mounted between the yoke 1() and the extension to the main frame, may, if desired, be provided on its 'upper surface with suitable antifriction rollers l2, adapted to engage the lower surface of thc transverse member L of the extension and facilitate the movement of the extension and 'the fra-mc transversely of the line of travel of the truck. Loosely mounted upon the king bolt i l, in'nncdiately above the bar 4, is a toothed segi'nent 13, and d immediately above the segment lf; is journaled one end of the steering lever 14, which is provided with a dou'l'iwardly extending part or lug 15, adapted to engage between the teeth ofthe segment 13. flic segment 13 serves as a crank arm and is connected to the main frame by a link 14?, which is pivotally connected to the segment near'the outer extremity thereof and to one of thc arms ."3 of the extension to the main frame. Thus, it will be seen that when the lever is actuated and the segment turned about its pivotal center, on the'king bolt 1.1, that tho linli lltu will move the extension 3, and main frame 1,

transversely of the truck. and king bolt, this Oil the extension to the main frame through which the king 'bolt 11, extends. 12, whichris mounted upon king bolt 11, is connected to the mainframe by connecting linksv or rods 16, which, in the Vpresent instance, are in the form of rods provided at one end with henkel-7 ,adapted to engage eyes or'r'ings 18, carried by the main frame 1, and havinglthe ,other-end 'adapted to extend through a bearing or sleeve "19, formedin a bracket or yoke pivotallyisecured to the bolster 12, and provided With a nut 21'on that end of the rod which'extends beyondfthe sleeve or bearing 19, thus enabling the rod to be shortened or lengthened to vary the distance between the truck and the 'main frame. A slight rearward movement of the bolster l2 and king bolt llfoccurs/when the frame is moved laterally of the. truck, owing tothe pivotal connection between the bolster and the frame, which rearward movement is per mitted by the curvature of the slot 'o in the member 4.

n is deseable that the un@ or @ma houle be as nearly as possible'in alinement with the connecting rods 16, which connect the truck tothe main frame of the implement, and serve as a draft coupling between these two members.A lnorder to bring the draft hitch as nearly as possible in alinement with rod 16, l provide a curved arm 22, substantially semi-circular in shape and secured at its lower end to the yoke or connecting member 10, of

the truck and its upper end to a collar 23,

which ismounted on the king bolt 11, belnveemthe bolster and the transverse bar 4. The arm 22 is provided with'an aperture 24., or other suitable means, to which the draft hitch may be coupled. The bar or beam 25 extends transversely of the auxiliary frame 2, and 'isjonrnaled at its opposite ends in suitable brackets 26, secured to said attrib iary frame? The beam 25 is provided near' its'oppositeends with vert-ical bolt-s 2?, which extend beyond the beam 25, above and below y the same, and support' the bifnrcated'brack ets or beams 28, the arms of which extention opposite sidesof the -bea1n -25 and are journa ed on the projecting ends of the bolts 27 which are provided with nuts 29,. or other suitable means, for retaining the brackets in position on the bolts or stud shafts 27..- rl`hus 1t willbe seen that each bracket 28, has a rotary movement about the horizontal axis of the beam` 25,1and also a rotary movement about the vertical axis of. the bolts or stud shafts 27.'-

The arms of the bifurcated brackets 28, extend for some distance in the rear of the beam 25, and are provided with slots 30, or other suitable means for 'supporting the shank 31 of the colters 32, which may be of any suitable construction. The forward end of each beam or bracket 28, extends slightly The bolsterV lseneca beyond the front end of the mainframe 1, and 1s pivotally connected thereto in any suitable manner, such as that shown, which the forward end of the bracket or beam 2S, and to the main frame 1, and which prefere bly consists of a rod hav-ing hooks at its opposite which is rigidly secured thereto'at one end and at the other end is provided with an upwardly extending bifurcated portion 40, the armsfof which extend on opposite sides of the 4steering lever 14. The beams 28 of the colby a transverse member or bar 41 which is secured to the beams in anysuitable manner, preferably by means of pins 42 and keys 43. The bar 4l extends at one end beyond the adouter end thereof with the apertnred lug 44 receive the end of the rod 45 which connerie lug 4 4 with a crank arm 46 which rigidly secured to the lower end of the s'haf t The operation of the steering mechanism will be readily understood fromthe foregoing description. Aln `brief it is as follows; With the members in .their normal position, as shown in the drawing, the main frame l of the implement will follow in the line ofnlraft of the steering truck. When it is desired to alter the direction of travel of the implement the'steering lever 14 is operated to more the toothed segment 13, which serves as a crank arm, 'about the king bolt 11 'and through the medium of the connecting link 142l the main frame is moved in a direction transverse to Vthe direction of travel of the truck, and is moved outof the line of draft of said truck. The movement ofthe lever 14 also serves to actuate the vertical shaft 38 and through the niediuni of the crank arm 46 and connecting link or rod 45 to move the coller beams 2S about their vertical axes, thus altering the position of the colters, and causing the same to serve as rudders and assist in the steering of the machine. lll/'hen the auxiliary frame 2, is elevated to move the colter out of engagement with the earth, it is desirable that the colter should travel a greater distance than the distance traveled by the auxiliary frame. This is accomplished by mounting the colter beams upon the transverse beam l y25, which is journaled in brackets cariied by l the auxiliary frame. Thus it willbeseen consists of a link 33, pivotally connected to' ends adapted to engage the aperture 34 inA *vided near its upper end with an arm 39 jacent beam 28 and is provided near the.

ters 32 are connected near their forward ends which is pivoted therein and y.is Aadapted to .I

' that as the auxiliary frame ees/,eat

moves vertiefally relatively to the traine 1, the links 33 hold the forward ends of the colter beams 23 against vertical movement as the auxiliary frame moves upward, and rotate ihe beams 2S about their horizontal axes, thus elevating the rear end of the beam, which carries the colters, at a greater' rate of speed than that at which the auxiliary frame is moving. rIlie slight rearward movement of the'beains` which duo to the fat-t that the auxiliary frame 2, moves about a )ivotal center, is com ensated for by the linl;s 33 whii'h are pivotally Connected to the ends of the colter beams and to the main frame.

1 wish it to be understood that l do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is z@ ,1. ln a steering mechanism, the combination, with a truck, and a frame having a part sup orted on said truck andhaving a slot extent ing transversely of said frame, of a part carried by said truck extending through said slot and freely movable therein, a draft coupling loosely connecting said truek to said frame, and actuating means o eratively oonneeted to said. frame, whereiy said frame may be moved transversely of said truck and when unrestrained will return to its normal position.

2. 1n a steering mechanism, the combination, with the, frame and a part carried thereby and provided with a slot extending transversely of said frame, of a truck, a king bolt carried by said truck and extending through said slot, and means connecting said truek and said frame and adapted to move said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

3. 1n a steering mechanism, the combina,-

t-ion, with a frame, and a part Carried thereby and having al curved slot extending transi versely of said iframe, of a true-k having an upwardly extending part engaging said slot, means for connecting said truck and said frame, and means for actuating said eonneeting means to move said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truok.

4. In a steering meel mism, the combination, with the frame and' apart carried thereby and provided wit i a slot extendingl transverselyvof said frame, of a -truck having a part extending through said slot. an arm pivotally mounted on said truck and eonnected to saidr frame, and means for mowing said arm about its pivotal center to move said frame tiai'isversely of the line of travel of said truek.

5. .ln a steering mechanism, the combination, with the frame and a part Carried thereby and provided with a slot extending transversely of said. frame, of a truek having an upwardly extending part engaging said slot, an arm pivotally mounted on said u wardly extending part, a link connecting sait arm to said framejand a steering lever adapted to engage said arm and actuate the same to move` said frame, transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

6. ln a steering mechanism, the Combination, with the frame and a part Carried thereby and provided with a curved slot extending transversely of said frame, of a truck having a part extending through said slot, a freely movable draft cou )ling extending between said truck and sait frame, and means connecting said truck and said frame and ada ted to move said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

7. 1n a steering mechanism, the combination, with the frame and a part carried thereby and provided with a curved slot extending transversely of said frame, of a truck having a part extending through said slot, adjustable draft couplings ext-ending between said truck and said frame and loosely connecting the same, and means for moving said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truek.

8. .in a steering mechanism, the combination, with the fra-ine, an extension carried by the forward end of said frame and having a eurved slot therein, of a truck having a part adapted to engage said slot, draft cou lings looselyeonneeting said truck to said game and means for moving said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

9. In a steering mechanism, the combina;

tion, with the frame, forwardly and upwardly extending arms secured to the opposite sides of said frame and a transverse member ooniieeting the forward ends of said arms and having a slot therein, of a truck, a king bolt carried by said truck and extending through said slot, draft couplings Connecting said truck to said frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said king bolt above said transverse member, a link connecting said arm to one of said arms, a steei'inglever pivotally mounted on said king bolt and having a art adapted to engage said arm to aetuate tliesaine and move said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

10. 1n a steering mechanism, the combination with the frame and a part carried thereby and provided with a slot extending transversely oi' said frame, of a truck having a part extending through said slot, a bolster mounted on said truck, draft couplings oonneeting said bolster to said frame, a draft hitch coupling mounted on said truck in substantial alinement with said draft couplings "carried thereby, and means for connecting said colter beam to said operating means,

Y for moving said fra-me transversely of the line vling comprising a curved member. securedat versely of the line of travel of said truck.

fed to said colter beam, whereby said beam is a vertical shaft mounted on said main frame,

l steering lever, a crank arm secured to the and means for movin'g sai frame transversely of the line of travelof said truck.

1 In a steering mechanism, the combination, 'with the frame anda part carried thereby aud provided with a slot extending trans-v versely of said frame, of a truck having apart. extending through said slot, a bolster carried by said truck, draft couplings connecting said bolster to said frame, a draft hitch coupone end of said truck belon7 said bolster and at the other end to said truck above said bolster, and means for moving said frame trans- 12. In a steering mechanism, the combination, With the main frame, a truck supporting one end of said frame, and operating means' for moving said frame transversely of the line of travel of said truck, of a colter beam supported Within said main frame and capable of movement about a vertical axis, a colter whereby said colter beam is moved about its vertical axis simultaneously with the movement of sain frame "transversely of the line of travel of said truck.

13.v In a steering mechanism, the combination, with the main frame, a truck supporting one end of said frame, and operating means of travel of said truck, of a colter beam mounted Within said main frame and capable of movement about a vertical axis, a colter carried thereby., -a vertical shaft mounted ou said main frame and having one end operatively connected to said operating means, a crank arm carried by said shaft and connectan armurigidly secured to the upper end of said vertical shaft and connected with said lower end of said shaft and a link connecting said crank arm to said colter beam.

15. In a steering mechanism, the `combination with the mainframe, a truck supporting one 'end of said main frame and a steering lel ver for moving said frame transversely of the line of ,travel of said truck, of a plurality of colter beams mounted Within said main E frame and capable of movement about their l ssaeea pivotally mounted oli the projecting end of the said transverse member, a vertical shaft mounted on said main frameA an. arm rigidly secured tothe upper end of said shaft Vand connected With said steering lever, a crank arm secured near the lower end of said shaft and a link connecting said crank arm to said pivoted lug.

16.' In a steering mechanism, the combination with the mainframe, a truck supporting one end thereof and a steering lever for moving said main frame tranversely of the line of travel -of said truck, of lan auxiliary frame mounted Within said main frame and capable of a vertical movement relatively thereto, a transverse member j ournaled in said auxiliary frame, colter beams pivotally mounted on said transverse member, colters carried by said beams, links connecting the forward ends of said colter beams to said main frame and means for connecting the forward ends of said colter beams to said steering lever, whereby said beams are moved in unison svith said lever.

i `In a steering mechanism, the combination, With the main. frame, the truck supporting one endy of said'fmain frame and a steering lever for moving the said main frame transversely of the'lne of travel of said truck, of an auxiliary rramev mounted Within said main frame and 'capable of a vertical movement relatively thereto, a transverse member .leurnaled in/ :sn/(ii ausviliary frame, colter beams pivotallly monntednear the opposite ends of said transverse member, colters carried by said beams, links lconnecting the forvvard ends of said colter beams to the said main frame, a transverse bar pivotally connected to each of said beams near their forward ends and extending beyond the beam at one end thereof an apertured lug pivotally mounted on the projecting end of said transverse bar, a vertical shaft journaled on said main frame, an arm rigidly secured to said shaft near its upper end and connected with said steering lever, a crank arm secured to said shaft near its lower end, a link pivotallyv connected at one end of said crank arm and having its other end loosely mounted in said apertured lug.

18. In a 'steering mechanism, the combination, with a frame, an extension carried by the forward end of said frame and having a slot therein, of a truck having a part adapted to engage said slot, a bolster carried by said truck, antifriction rollers interposed between said bolster and said extension, and means for moving said extension transversely of the line of travel of said truck. 19. In a steering mechanism. the combina.-

' '-ton, with a frame', and a part carried thereby to actuate the same to move the frame trans- 10 and provided With a slot extending transversely of the line of travel of Said truck. versely of said frame, of a truck having an In testimony whereof, l a'x my Signature. upwardly extending part engaging said slot, in presence of two witnesses.

a toothed segment pvotally mounted on said HOUR E GOODFELLOW. upwardly entendmgpart, means tor connecting said toothed segment to said frame, and a Wvitnesses:

steering lever having a part adapted to en- E. G. LLOYD,

gage between` the teeth of said segment and LEO HOLLAND. 

